Christine Mann Darden, Ph.D.

2005 Honoree

Christine Mann Darden has spent many years researching sonic boom technology, while at the same time accomplishing much and making a little "noise" of her own. The assistant director for planning at the NASA Langley Research Center has made a name for herself as a leading aerospace engineer.

The former educator began her career at NASA in 1967 as a data analyst, eventually transitioning to an engineering position. As an engineer, she was given her first independent assignment, which led to her fascination with sonic booms. A sonic boom is an explosive sound caused by the shock wave of an airplane traveling faster than the speed of sound.

In her past position as a senior program manager at NASA, Darden was on a team established to develop the technology for building a supersonic airplane by the year 2015.

Darden has become a national expert in the areas of sonic boom prediction, sonic boom minimization and supersonic wing design.

Born in Monroe, North Carolina, Darden always has made education a priority. Her mother was a teacher, and her parents always emphasized the significance of education. This encouragement led her in the right direction and made her determined to make it in life.

Darden left North Carolina to attend Hampton Institute, now Hampton University, where she received a bachelor of science degree in mathematics. After years of teaching at the high school level, Darden received a master's degree in applied mathematics from Virginia State University and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from George Washington University.

In a recent article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Darden encouraged students of all colors and backgrounds to get involved in math and science, grasp all the knowledge they can and always explore the endless possibilities they have in life. She has advocated for more racial minorities and women entering the engineering profession.

The mother of three adult children has been recognized with dozens of honors and awards. Among them are several NASA Outstanding Performance and Achievement Awards and the Women in Engineering Lifetime Achievement Award.

She urges those who see success in their view to "use the 4P planning framework — perceive, plan, prepare and persist."